ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD

There is much fun to be had in Ahreum Han’s
colourful transcription of the familiar Offenbach
Overture that provides both title and theme for
this
pleasing, generously-filled compendium of dances,
spirits and toccatas. Some items – Johannes
Matthias Michel’s Organ, Timbrel and
Dance, three ‘jazz organ
preludes’ referencing Dave Brubeck, a Lutheran
hymn and Leonard
Bernstein, and Bach’s BWV 527 Trio Sonata – seem
rather tangential
but are redeemed by Han’s characterful playing.
Bovet’s Hamburger Totentanz is delightfully unhinged,
Vierne’s op.55 Naïdes airy and
fantastical, Widor’s Toccata immediately bold,
Jongen’s Sonata Eroïca both muscular and melodic.